Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Princeton, NJ — 2019-02-23

Final reportGAA19CA153
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Date
2019-02-23
Location
Princeton, NJ, USA
Airport
39N
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N5338N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A collision with deer on the runway while landing at night and the airport's lack of a complete perimeter fence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing at night, the airplane struck two deer on the runway. He added that he did not see the deer on the runway during the approach and landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport, stated, in part, "Deer and birds on and [in the vicinity of the airport]." The pilot stated that the airport's fencing was intermittent and that deer were frequently seen around the airport. The airport manager added that the airport's perimeter fence only covered the eastern and southern perimeter and that a deer strike occurred at least once every 2 years. However, according to the FAA Wildlife Strike Database the last reported wildlife strike at the accident airport occurred on April 10, 2012. The FAA's Part 139 CertAlert, No. 16-03, "Recommended Wildlife Exclusion Fencing," which provides airfield exclusion methods for deer and other large mammals, recommends constructing fencing "fully around the airfield without gaps."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Improved wildlife management and fencing could have prevented deer on runway.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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